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US and Israel leaders still seeking peace in Middle East | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said that they have not given up on finding peace in the Middle East. | |
It is their first face-to-face meeting since relations deteriorated over a nuclear deal between world powers and Iran. | |
Mr Netanyahu is also seeking a boost in the annual US military aid for Israel's security. | |
The Washington talks come amid weeks of unrest between Israel and Palestinians. | The Washington talks come amid weeks of unrest between Israel and Palestinians. |
Six Israelis were wounded in knife attacks by Palestinians on Sunday. A Palestinian who drew a knife on Israeli guards was shot dead on Monday. | Six Israelis were wounded in knife attacks by Palestinians on Sunday. A Palestinian who drew a knife on Israeli guards was shot dead on Monday. |
In brief remarks at the White House ahead of the meeting, Mr Obama said he would seek his counterpart's thoughts on ways to lower tension between Palestinians and Israelis. | |
He said he wanted to get the two groups "back on a path towards peace". | |
Mr Netanyahu echoed the sentiments saying, "we have not given up our hope for peace". He underscored his desire for a two-state solution. | |
The two leaders are also planning to talk about the ongoing conflict in Syria and the implementation of the nuclear deal with Iran. | |
Relations between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Obama were strained over that deal, which was bitterly opposed by Israel. | |
In the last week, the US has also expressed its surprise at Mr Netanyahu's choice of a new spokesman, Ran Baratz, who made controversial comments about administration officials. | In the last week, the US has also expressed its surprise at Mr Netanyahu's choice of a new spokesman, Ran Baratz, who made controversial comments about administration officials. |
On Facebook, Mr Baratz accused Mr Obama of anti-Semitism and described US Secretary of State John Kerry as having a "mental age" of no more than 12. | On Facebook, Mr Baratz accused Mr Obama of anti-Semitism and described US Secretary of State John Kerry as having a "mental age" of no more than 12. |
A US state department spokesman said the posts were "troubling and offensive". Mr Baratz will not be part of Israel's delegation. | A US state department spokesman said the posts were "troubling and offensive". Mr Baratz will not be part of Israel's delegation. |
The talks in the US are expected to pave the way towards an increase in US security aid to Israel from $3.1bn (£2bn) a year to $5bn, media reports say. | |
On Monday morning a Palestinian woman was shot dead when she ignored warnings to stop after approaching security guards with a knife at a crossroads in the West Bank, Israeli officials said. | On Monday morning a Palestinian woman was shot dead when she ignored warnings to stop after approaching security guards with a knife at a crossroads in the West Bank, Israeli officials said. |
In the West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, four Israelis were struck by a car driven by a Palestinian man, who was then killed by security forces. | In the West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, four Israelis were struck by a car driven by a Palestinian man, who was then killed by security forces. |
The upsurge in violence began in September, when tensions at a flashpoint holy site in East Jerusalem revered by Jews and Muslims boiled over amid rumours Israel planned to relax long-standing rules to strengthen Jewish rights at the complex. | The upsurge in violence began in September, when tensions at a flashpoint holy site in East Jerusalem revered by Jews and Muslims boiled over amid rumours Israel planned to relax long-standing rules to strengthen Jewish rights at the complex. |
Israel has repeatedly denied such claims. | Israel has repeatedly denied such claims. |